SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
SECURING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Ahead of the inaugural World EcoConstruct summit and exhibition, Cityscape magazine talks to four of the region’s leading sustainability advocates for an insight into the status quo of forward-thinking initiatives and on-the-ground action.
How seriously is the regional real estate development sector taking the sustainability argument?
Holley Chant, Corporate Sustainability Director, KEO International
In any region where electricity and water are subsidised, regulatory levers have always initially successfully driven the sustainability argument. Te Estidama Executive Council Mandate has done an excellent job creating this positive change towards sustainable development in Abu Dhabi. In Qatar’s new building code they now have extracts from the Qatar Sustainability Assessment System, so this will drive similar benefits.
Rob Cooke, Middle East Sustainability Team Leader, Buro Happold
We are working with a number of regional real estate developers that include sustainability as one of their key requirements. However, for many, they are at an early stage of developing a core policy and do not yet have sustainability running through their veins. I would suggest we are at a point of familiarity rather than full-blown engagement, and would say that developers in Abu Dhabi are more in tune with sustainability than in other regions, partly due to the advent of Estidama.
Matthew Plumbridge, Consultant - Environmental and Sustainability Planning, Department of Municipal Affairs, Abu Dhabi
Tere is a two-speed uptake. Tere are organisations that have been exposed to the international sustainable building movement through LEED, BREEAM and Australia’s Greenstar, and other organisations that feel this is an entirely new concept. Te problem is compounded by the transient nature of the construction workforce, and the invaluable experience that is lost when they leave the region.
Adnan Sharafi, Chairman, Emirates Green Building Council
Te real estate development sector in the UAE is taking concerted initiatives to promote a green and sustainable built environment. Tis is a not a cosmetic approach, but there is strong evidence of an abiding commitment to introduce sustainability initiatives, because of the long-term benefits they bring to all stakeholders. Tis is also reflected in the interest of various participants in the supply chain to partner in the various programmes introduced by the Emirates Green Building Council. Te recent announcement by the UAE government to roll out a comprehensive green development strategy has further catalysed interest in promoting sustainability initiatives.
38 I CITYSCAPE I APRIL 2012
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